A patch of the native plant, Smooth Sumac, Rhus glabra. A wonderful magnet for birds during the late winter and early spring.
Hard to decide which might be my favorite bird, but one that is right up there at the top, Northern Flicker, Colaptes auratus, is one of the birds that is attracted to the rich crimson berries.
The place I would expect to find a Northern Flicker, unlike most other woodpeckers, is on the ground. They hunt for ant larvae and beetle grubs, pecking into the soil the way other woodpeckers would be pecking into a tree trunk.
During this part of the year though, it is in the Smooth Sumac where I often see these handsome birds.
And if my stars are lined up just right, I might be lucky and capture a flash of marvelous yellow.
Or perhaps I can catch one signaling to others, letting them know that it is safe to land.
12 responses to “Northern Flicker”
Those are phenomenal pictures and a great lesson to learn about them.
Candy! Thanks so much! I’m so pleased that you enjoyed my post. Sounds like you’re really getting some nice weather recently. Mom sure is enjoying it, surely you are too!
If I were to glimpse this bird, it would make my day. Your photos are fantastic. We do have the sumac here, so maybe, because of your post, I am a tiny bit closer to seeing one here in AR.
Hi Judy! So glad you enjoyed my pictures. I sure hope that you get to see one of these critters. They are really good looking birds. The name, “Northern” Flicker got me to thinking about whether he might not be native to your area but I just took a look at his range and you are in luck. They’re found year round in nearly all parts of the US. Keep in mind, as I pointed out in this post, that I see them more often on the ground, rather than up in trees. Happy spring!
Exquisite shots, Brenda. The Northern Flicker is one of my favorites as well.
Thanks a bunch Nancy! Haven’t seen you in a while, I hope you are doing well.
Beautiful Brenda! This is one bird I only see up North (so far). I hope to attract some at the lake with large patches of Sumac both Staghorn and Smooth Sumac – something that is not conducive to grow in the village. Here in Northern FL I have been admiring a red bellied woodpecker and watched him hide corn kernels in the palm tree bark! I can’t take photos like you but I wish I could share.
Kathy, I hope you end up with several Northern Flickers! My Smooth Sumac sends out rhizomes which spread the plants quickly, and they reach to 15 feet high.
Ah, the Red-bellied Woodpecker! Another one that I love. I see them here only on rare occasions. I just bought some beef suet at the grocery store and will put it out, along with my usual homemade suet cakes that I usually put out. I’m hoping that might tempt different birds.
So glad you enjoy my photos. You might be shocked how MANY pictures I take. To get good pictures (and I’m proving this) I have to take TONS of images to get one good one!
Just beautiful!
Thank you Anne!
Such wonderful photos of the Flicker.
Thanks bunches Libby!